PATRICK MURRAY
Canadian conductor/composer Patrick Murray has collaborated from the podium with numerous choirs and ensembles across Canada and the United States, including the Guelph Chamber Choir, New Music New Haven, FAWN Chamber Creative, and choirs at University of Illinois, Yale University, and Western University. As a composer, Murray has served as composer in residence with Vox Choirs (Toronto), and been commissioned by New York Polyphony, Grand Philharmonic Choir, Canadian Men’s Chorus, and Toy Piano Composers, amongst others. His music has been recognized by the SOCAN Young Composer Awards and the DaCapo Chamber Choir NewWorks Award.
At Thy Voice
by Patrick Murray
SATB a cappella – CP 1867 – duration 5:45
In his 1898 poem, Charles G.D. Roberts, one of Canada’s most prominent confederation-era poets and a keen follower of Emerson and Thoreau, vividly evokes the transcendentalist theme of the sublime in nature. My own musical response to the poem grows out of a simple, hymn-like melody, fragmented and transformed over the course of the piece, hopeful of catching a glimpse in sound of the same.
In Slumber Deep - (The Christmas Night)
by Patrick Murray
SATB a cappella – CP 1858 – duration 5:30
L.M. Montgomery’s poem “The Christmas Night” is remarkable in its depiction of the simplicity of a mother’s love at the heart of the nativity story. In setting Montgomery’s poem as a contemporary carol, I aimed to capture that honesty through three verses that grow in richness and warmth..
Morning Hymn
by Patrick Murray
SATB a cappella – CP 1656 – duration 2:35
This lovely composition would work so well for choirs of all denominational persuasions. The undulating vocal lines are easy to sing in sweet-spot registers. The poem by Patricia Orr is one of her finest. Morning Hymn was written in honour of Patricia Wright, organist and music director at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto, on the occasion of her admission as 2017 Fellow of the Summer Institute of Church Music (F.SICM). Since 2009, the fellowship has been paired with a commissioning project to create new anthems for service and general use. At Pat’s request, Patricia Orr – longtime friend, collaborator, and congregational poet at Metropolitan – crafted the text for the occasion. Morning Hymn was premiered by the SICM choir under the direction of Dr. Evelyn Grieger in July 2017.
